Organised by CoolTan Arts to celebrate World Mental Health Day, which takes place annually on October 10, the Altered States exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, explores themes relating to changes in the way people feel, see or think.

Artists from CoolTan Arts, have been working with artists from the Dulwich Picture Gallery to produce art work for the exhibition.

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Louisa Nicholl, one of the CoolTan artists wrote a poem entitled Harvest, on which she based her artwork for the exhibition.

She said: “I was absolutely amazed at how everybody’s idea of an altered state was interpreted in totally different ways – it was a lovely process to watch my poem become a print.”

Kathrin Kirrmann, communications officer at the CoolTan Arts said: “CoolTan Arts’ Altered States exhibition celebrates World Mental Health Day, a world wide and a unified effort to promote greater public awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illness.

CoolTan Arts will have a stall at Morley College on the 6th of December.

61 Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7HT

The artworks in this exhibition were created by CoolTan Arts to celebrate Black History Month.

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CoolTan Artists worked at the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre and used the environment of Elephant & Castle to explore in the broadest possible sense what Black History Month might mean in a multicultural environment.

CoolTan Arts would like to thank Morley College, and in particular Kathleen McLauchlan, Lena Augustinson and Jane Hartwell for organising this exhibition.

Map and Directions for Morley College

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk on 10 October 2009 attracted over 80 people, marching to celebrate World Mental Health Day and raise money for CoolTan Arts.

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Walkers were welcomed by Michelle Baharier, Chief Executive of CoolTan Arts, the Mayor of Lambeth, Christopher Wellbelove, past mayor of Southwark Bob Skelly, London Assembly member and deputy chief of Transport Valerie Shawcross and TV Chef Rosemary Shrager. All the speakers highlighted the importance of art and walking on everyone’s mental health and well being, the social element of a community walk and how it can help people overcome barriers and stigma.

We are looking for people who might be interested in contributing stories about mental health and the labels that you have been given – can be a written story or recordings for our podcasts, as a part of an ongoing project at CoolTan Arts, our Funny Farm web site and forum. It could be funny, shocking, inspiring, or simply yours; tell us about the labels you have been confronted with in life, at work and/or in hospital; learn to record and create conversations online and meet people; share and listen to your own stories.

Have a look at www.afunnyfarm.org.uk for inspiration.